Wrong question

Local mistake, WORLD headlines

WDSU-TV's LaTonya Norton made headlines in Europe last week, though she surely regretted it. The station's weekend morning anchor had a live interview with Mo Farah, who had just set a record for time in the Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans half-marathon Feb. 24 when Norton asked him, "Now — haven't you run before? This isn't your first time?"

Indeed he had, and on the world stage. Farah, a Somali-born runner and British resident, won two gold medals at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Though he may not be well-known in America outside running circles, Farah is a household name in England. British papers seized on the moment — the Daily Mail called it "cringeworthy." European TV programs replayed the exchange, and CNN's Piers Morgan asked Farah to "come on my CNN show tonight to discuss that crazy U.S. interview."

WDSU issued a statement of apology, saying, "We hope that Mr. Farah will have occasion to visit New Orleans again and that we may have the opportunity to apologize in person." Farah was magnanimous, taking to Twitter to write, "Just wanna say to everyone being nasty to LaTonya Norton please stop!! She made a mistake like we all do!!" With those diplomatic skills, Farah might consider running ... for office. — Kevin Allman